Religion briefs: Jan. 17

Published: January 17, 2014 4:00 AM

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Concert by 64 to Grayson

WOOSTER -- Blachleyville Church of Christ will be host to 64 to Grayson, formed at Kentucky Christian College, in Grayson, Ky. The concert will be at the church, at the corner of state Route 95 and Elyria Road, at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

A soup supper, featuring chili and the "Preacher's Potato Soup," will be served in the fellowship hall from 6-6:45 p.m.

Bible school showcase planned

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WOOSTER -- On Saturday from 9 a.m.-noon, Oak Chapel United Methodist Church will host a VBS Showcase. Cokesbury's regional community resource consultant, Tami Lynne Clark, will present materials from all seven VBS publishers. Christian Educators and VBS leaders are invited to explore and examine the 2014 VBS materials. The church is at 4203 W. Old Lincoln Way, Wooster.

Vote for your favorite chili

WOOSTER -- The United Methodist Men of Oak Chapel will present its fifth annual chili cook-off on Saturday in the church fellowship hall. A freewill offering will be accepted from those attending the event to vote for their favorite chili; last year's winning recipe will also be served, along with macaroni and cheese for family members who don't care for chili. Meal time will be from 5-7 p.m. or until the food is gone. The church is at 4203 W. Old Lincoln Way, Wooster.

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Men's conference registration due

BEACH CITY -- "Men's Stepping Up One-Day Video Event Conference" will be held Feb. 1 at Christian Life Mennonite Church, 11663 Kaylor Ave., Beach City. All men are welcome to be a part of this event, to be from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost is $20 and includes a study guide and lunch. Registration deadline is Sunday. To register, call 330-359-5657 or e-mail: edinger8739@adelphia.net.

Recital to raise funds

SMITHVILLE -- An afternoon of music is in store when violinist Amy Glick and pianist George Bixler perform a recital on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at Oak Grove Mennonite Church, 7843 Smucker Road. Both local, accomplished musicians, Glick and Bixler will be playing a blend of classical, popular and sacred music at the recital. Admission to the recital is free. A freewill offering will be taken, with proceeds to be designated for Oak Grove's current project to fund an addition to a school in Kenya, Africa.

Sanctity of Life service set

WOOSTER -- Wayne-Holmes Right to Life will hold an interfaith worship service hosted by West Hill Baptist Church, 2241 Mechanicsburg Road on Sunday from 3-4 p.m. This service is in celebration of the sanctity of life and to stand in solidarity with those who will be going to Washington, D.C. and participating in the national March for Life.

Guest speakers will be Pastor Jerry O'Brien, Faith Harvest Fellowship and Margaret Fearon, Gabriel Project. Refreshments and fellowship will follow the service. For further information contact Paulette at 330-620-0630.

Annual meeting, dinner planned

MILLERSBURG -- St. John's Church of Millersburg announces its annual meeting during the 10:15 a.m. worship service this Sunday and a fellowship meal hosted by the Church Council will immediately follow. Also, a new Adult Bible Study, "Guardrails," written by Andy Stanley will begin this Sunday at 9 a.m. A 12-week women's study on Beth Moore's "Daniel" will begin on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Call the church office to reserve materials for the Thursday night study at 330-674-5366.

St. John's Church is located just west of Millersburg at 8670 State Route 39, beside Alexander Funeral Home.

MLK Day to be observed

SHREVE -- The Shreve community will observe Martin Lutheran King Day on Monday at 8 a.m. with a breakfast buffet at Des Dutch Essenhaus. Speaker will be the Rev. Priscilla E. Jackson. The event is sponsored by Shreve and Hopewell Presbyterian Churches, Shreve United Methodist Church and Shreve Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

ORRVILLE -- The Rev. Nathan Poole and the First Baptist Church members at 12720 Burton City Road will celebrate the life and accomplishments of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday at 7 p.m. The MLK Day of Service will empower individuals, strengthen the community, bridge barriers and move us closer to Dr. King's vision of a beloved community. First Baptist Church is inviting the community to help celebrate this honorable occasion as a united community through song with the First Baptist Church Community Choir, a presentation by the Youth Ministry and a message that will encourage and strengthen us all. Refreshments will be served. Any questions, please contact Marlene Griggs at 330-317-2527.

March for Life bus trip set

WOOSTER -- A bus will leave Wednesday from Grace Church, 4599 Burbank Road, at 12:30 a.m. and arrives in Washington, D.C. by 9 a.m. For the March for Life.

Schedule for the day: Visit to congressmen/senators, activities on the Mall and the March for the Sanctity of Life to the Supreme Court Building. Bus returns to Wooster by 1:30 a.m. on Thursday. Cost is $75 per person (sponsorships welcome). Make checks payable to: West Hill Baptist. This bus trip is sponsored by Grace Church and West Hill Baptist Church. Contact Frank Ecker, 330-466-6577 or Chuck Beck, 330-464-8614.

Social Justice Potluck planned

WOOSTER -- On Jan. 26 a Social Justice Potluck will be held at noon in Mackey Hall of First Presbyterian Church. Local Roots will provide the main dish; take a salad or dessert. The program will feature the Rev. Cynthia F. Burse, an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). Burse is pursuing a doctor of ministry degree in prisons, public policy and transformative justice at New Brunswick Theological Seminary, New Brunswick, N.J. She is also the principle of The House of Redemption, a nonprofit faith community that helps citizens returning home post-incarceration to secure and establish homes, and that provides related educational programs and activities, promotes public awareness regarding the issue of mass incarceration, and contributes to research in the field of reentry housing.

Ashland professor to present lecture

ASHLAND -- Dr. John Byron, professor of New Testament at Ashland Theological Seminary, will present a lecture titled "Who is the Real Jesus and Why are We Looking for Him?" on Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. in the Smetzer Auditorium inside the Gerber Academic Building on the Ashland Theological Seminary campus.

Byron's presentation will deal with a number of questions, including:

-- Do the gospels provide accurate information about Jesus?

-- Did the early church distort the message of Jesus?

-- Do secret gospels reveal the truth about Jesus?

-- Did Jesus really exist?

"Provocative questions like these surface regularly in newscasts, television specials, books and magazines," Byron said. "In the last six months, Reza Aslan's "The Zealot," Bill O'Reilly's "Killing Jesus" and the History Channel's "The Real Jesus" have raised similar questions. Underlying many of these questions is an assumption that the New Testament provides unreliable information about Jesus, thus forcing us to search for the 'real Jesus.'"

In this lecture Dr. Byron will discuss why some scholars are skeptical of the New Testament claims about Jesus and will provide an overview of the evidence that there is for him as well as what history can and cannot tell people about Jesus.

The evening lecture, which is free and open to the public, will be followed by a light reception. Seating is first-come, first-served and registration is not required. Questions may be directed to Amy Burns at 419-289-5462.

Saturday Sing to feature gospel music

WILMOT -- Faith Baptist Church in Wilmot will hold a Saturday Sing Feb. 8, beginning at 4 p.m. Jericho Road Quartet and His Servants will be features. A freewill offering will be taken.

For more information go to www.downhomegospelradio.com click on Concerts and scroll down to flier, or call Pastor Dave Carroll at 330-447-4339.

The church is at 775 W. Main St.

Donations needed

MOUNT HOPE -- The Trading Post Thrift Store is in need of donations of gently used items. Donation help a troubled boy find help at the Ohio Wilderness Boys Camp near Caldwell. The Trading Post Thrift Store is at 7703-B State Route 241, just west of Mount Hope. Donations can be taken to the store or dropped off at Ray Shaum's, 2678 S. Kohler Road, Orrville. Call 330-857-5516 or 330-464-1261 for more information.

Free Bibles available

RITTMAN -- Need a Bible? We can deliver/mail you one without cost or obligation. KJV Bible, New Testament, Large Print, and Children's Bible Stories are available. Call 330-347-6052, 330-927-4857 or 330-939-6231.